Security Horizon, Inc. and University of Fairfax to Provide Information Security Certifications

INFOSEC Assessment and Evaluation Methodology Certification courses now available for security professionals.

Vienna, VA (PRWeb) December 1, 2005 -- The University of Fairfax today announced an affiliation with Security Horizon to offer National Security Agency (NSA) Information Security Assessment Methodology (IAM) and Information Security Evaluation Methodology (IEM) Certification courses and exams. The University of Fairfax will be hosting this bootcamp at its campus in Vienna, Virginia.

Federal mandates require agencies to conduct a yearly, independent third party evaluation of information security programs and practices to determine their effectiveness. One way to accomplish this is for assessors to have a very structured and thorough understanding of the NSA assessment methodology to understand how both the IAM and IEM work together to ensure a complete and comprehensive security assessment/evaluation.

Security Horizon CEO and CTO, Mr. Russ Rogers, said this NSA-sponsored training is delivered by trained and certified Security Horizon security professionals and sets the standard for Assurance Assessment services. Graduates of this training will be well equipped to perform these assessments as required by the government.

“Security Horizon is a global leader in providing comprehensive security solutions, as well as National Security Agency (NSA) INFOSEC training courses and appraisals,” said Rogers. "Our relationship with the University of Fairfax allows us to better enable NSA to raise the INFOSEC posture of U.S. Government agencies and departments that handle information with National Security implications, in support of Critical Infrastructure Protection. It’s analogous to providing the most sophisticated and efficient high-powered rifle to the soldier currently facing the front lines."

Dr. Victor Berlin, President of the University of Fairfax, sees tremendous value to having Security Horizon as an industry affiliate. Victor N. Berlin continued, “We are excited to partner with Security Horizon to promote excellence and rigor in information security assessment and evaluation in the federal sector.” “By hosting the NSA IAM and IEM certification classes here at the University of Fairfax campus in Vienna, VA. the University increases the accessibility of the NSA IAM and IEM certifications to the Federal community.”

This joint affiliation between Security Horizon and the University of Fairfax enables eligible applicants nationwide to earn their NSA IAM and IEM certification while simultaneously earning graduate credits towards INFOSEC graduate certificates at the University of Fairfax. These students – most of whom bring years of management and hands-on experience in the information security field to their studies – can prepare for executive careers by developing a unique combination of information security and executive management competencies.

The IAM is a two-day course for experienced Information Systems Security analysts who conduct, or are interested in conducting INFOSEC assessments of U.S. Government information systems. The course teaches NSA's INFOSEC assessment process, a high-level, non-intrusive process for identifying and correcting security weaknesses in information systems and networks. The first IAM course will be held January 31-February 1, 2006, and will be offered again later in the year.

The INFOSEC Evaluation Methodology (IEM) course is a two-day course for experienced Information Systems Security professionals who conduct or are interested in conducting INFOSEC evaluations of U.S. Government systems. The course teaches NSA’s INFOSEC Evaluation Methodology, a process that utilizes various recognized vulnerability scanning (system security evaluation) tools. The first IEM course will be held February 2-3, 2006, and will be offered again later in the year.

To support the NSA initiative, the University of Fairfax in conjunction with Security Horizon is offering full or partial scholarships for the first NSA IAM-IEM Bootcamp to federal and state government employees, federal, state and local law enforcement, and to the US Military. In addition, members of other organizations are eligible for scholarships, including but not limited to InfraGard, ISACA, ISSA, NaSPA, ASIS, HTCIA, and University of Fairfax students and employees.

To get more information about the NSA IAM/IEM certification or to register, please contact the University of Fairfax at 703/790-3200 X106; or go to: http://www.securityhorizon.com/IAM.php (IAM) and http://www.securityhorizon.com/IEM.php
(IEM).

About The University of Fairfax
The University of Fairfax, a private, non-profit graduate university located in the national capital region, was established to address accelerating shortages in qualified information security personnel. The University is a leading provider of high quality, online graduate degree programs in information security/assurance for adult professionals. Project-driven curricula are delivered through web-based technology enabling the University to serve a national student body. The faculty is comprised of senior practitioners in information assurance serving federal agencies, federal contractors and private-sector employers. The University enables adult learners to advance their careers in the information security field through its unique, accelerated Masters and Ph.D. programs in information security. To secure your future, and to learn more about the University of Fairfax, its programs and services, please visit www.UniversityofFairfax.net or contact Ms. Wilson at 703/790-3200 X106.

About Security Horizon, Inc.
Security Horizon, a veteran-owned small business, was founded in 2000 by information security professionals with extensive backgrounds in commercial, United States Government, and Department of Defense (DoD) environments. Security Horizon offerings include security assessments and network vulnerability evaluations, penetration testing, security policy development, and National Security Agency (NSA) INFOSEC training courses and appraisals. Many of our consultants hold high-level security clearances and our experience includes work with the NSA, Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), United States Navy (USN), and the United States Air Force (USAF). Security Horizon is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

For more information:
The University of Fairfax
Janet Wilson
Community Relations
University of Fairfax
2070 Chain Bridge Road
Vienna, VA 22182
Office: 703/790-3200 X106

Security Horizon, Inc.
Michele Fincher
Marketing Director
Security Horizon, Inc.
5350 Tomah Drive, Suite 3500
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Office: 719/488-4500

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